12.Practice.Tests.for.the.SAT_2015-2016_1128p

104
12 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test One Answers and Explanations
4. B
Difficulty: Medium
Only one choice really makes sense. Look for words that
make sense together. Modern literature encompasses many
different styles and elements, so it must be diverse and
hard to pin down. Out of all the answer choices, only one
expresses that sentiment.
In (A), it's unlikely that bragging about postmodern
literature is necessary for any reason. In (B), trying to
generalize about a diverse topic is definitely difficult, and
probably foolish. This choice seems to work. In (C), though
many people like to complain about postmodern literature,
its diversity hardly makes complaining important. In (D),
why would rhapsodizing about postmodern literature be
viewed as particularly fair? In (E), trying to learn is never
unproductive.
5. c
Difficulty: Medium
The second half of the sentence is a big hint toward the
meaning of the missing word. Fill in the blank in your head
with a word you know, perhaps "procrastinating," and then
look for a word that is a synonym.
In (A), though many of us may think of our little brothers
as incompetent, it doesn't mean the same thing as
"procrastinating." In (B), if he is obtrusive in doing his
homework, he might be getting in the way or brash about
doing his homework, but he's not postponing it. If he's
dilatory in doing his homework, then he's putting it off,
or "procrastinating." Choice (C) fits well. In (D), being
surreptitious, or sneaky, is not the same as procrastinating.
In (E), how can someone be extroverted, or outgoing, in
doing his homework?
6. D
Difficulty: Medium
The phrase in the face of indicates that the FBI agent did
not agree with his superiors' attitude. He must have been
surprised or upset by their indifference. Therefore, you
can infer that the agent was not indifferent toward the
conspiracy and, in fact, cared deeply about investigating it.
Predict a word for the first blank that indicates a thorough or
careful investigation and a word for the second blank that
means angry or uncomfortable.
In (A), his attempts would only have been obstinate if he
was told prior to his investigation that it was not allowed.
Furthermore, we doubt the agent would be elated by
a severe reprimand. In (B), though the agent might be
impenitent, since the alien conspiracy is described as
outlandish, the agent's investigation cannot be considered
insightful. In (C), it's not indicated anywhere in the sentence
that the agent's efforts were persuasive-quite the contrary
since he was reprimanded-and we doubt that the agent
would be exultant about a severe reprimand. In (0), it
would make sense that his attempts were sedulous if he
was in conflict with his superiors' indifference. It also makes
sense that he felt discomfited by their reaction to his hard
work. This choice works well. In (E), if his attempts to
uncover a bizarre alien conspiracy were successful, then his
superiors certainly wouldn't feel indifferent.
7. c
Difficulty: High
What kind of person takes things personally too often? The
last part of the sentence describes Alex's reaction, and
the blank is asking for a word that will sum or fit with that
description.
In (A), if Alex were cerebral, he'd probably think about the
criticism, not take it personally. In (B), obdurate people
are usually hardened and unfeeling, so they don't take too
much personally. Choice (C) fits. Sensitive people often
take things personally. In (D), someone who is pretentious
wouldn't necessarily react that way. In (E), Alex might
become eneNated if he continues to take things personally,
but for now this is not the best fit.
8. A
Difficulty: High
The key word is or. The word or tells you that you are
looking for a synonym for incommunicable.
Choice (A) is the right choice. Ineffable is the synonym
you're looking for. In (B), mundane means average or
boring. In (C), onerous seems off the bat to have too
negative a charge, and if you got that feeling, you're right.
It means burdensome. In (D), if artists thought their ideas
were incisive when expressed plainly, they wouldn't feel
the ideas hard to communicate. In (E), auspicious means
prosperous, which is not a synonym for incommunicable.